On the 12th of November residents from Calne and the surrounding area are invited to Beversbrook Sports and Community Facility to celebrate the launch of Get Out Get Active (GOGA). GOGA is a national programme which aims to make physical activity more inclusive, support people to move more, and encourage people to lead an active and healthy lifestyle. The programme provides opportunities for disabled and non-disabled people to be active together and feel connected to their local community.

Sessions are currently delivered in Salisbury and have had a positive impact on the local community through providing opportunities for people to develop new friendships and improve their physical and mental wellbeing.

A participant at the Inclusive Equestrian Experience Sessions at Tedworth Equestrian said:

"I don't leave my flat that often, sometimes just once or twice a week, so to have this GOGA opportunity is amazing. It had a huge effect on my mental health being around horses."

One participant from the Walking Football Sessions said:

"It's been so nice to be able to come along as a family. We never would have envisaged *Sarah playing football and it's been so enjoyable for us to have some social time with everyone who comes along."

An exciting new partnership between WASP, Wiltshire Council, Age UK, Community First, Wiltshire Centre for Independent living, Beversbrook Sports Facility and Calne Town Council will aim to ensure residents across Calne and the surrounding areas can experience the benefits of the GOGA Programme.

Dan Martin, Beversbrook Sport and Facilities Manager said:

"Here at Beversbrook we are looking to create a programme of activities that are accessible to all and has something to offer to the whole community. Our exciting new partnership with WASP and the deliver partners in launching the GOGA project here at Beversbrook allows us to do that. We are looking forward to working together to launch exciting new initiatives to get the local community active."

Expanding GOGA into Calne will give another part of Wiltshire the experience and opportunity to come together as a community and move more. The success of GOGA has been through working with and co-designing activities with local residents. We listen and provide them with an array of new opportunities that support people being active and help to reduce any barriers along the way. We realise we are still recovering from the pandemic, and so by supporting people to come together in fun inclusive ways with help combat isolation, provide a warm space, meet new people, and enjoy the many benefits that being active bring both physically and mentally.

Helen Akiyama, Community Development Officer at Community First said:

"Bringing GOGA to Beversbrook in Calne is very exciting. We look forward to working with the community and making it become more inclusive. We received some lovely comments from the residents when we carried out our insight work."

The Free inclusive physical activity fun day to celebrate the launch of GOGA will take place on the 12th of November from 10 am-1pm at Beversbrook Sports and Community Facility. People of all ages and abilities are invited to come along and get involved in whatever ways suit them. Whether that's coming along for a chat and a coffee or trying out the activities - some of which will feature as part of the Get Out Get Active Programme when it launches in November. There will also be opportunities to talk to current GOGA volunteers about their experiences and find out how you can get involved to support others to be more active.

To register, please click here or just turn up on the day!